Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Naqvi Defends Pakistan Cricket Amid England Series Turmoil
Pakistan lost the first two games of a three-Test series against England.
The second loss was by 194 runs.
After that, Pakistan sent seven players home and changed two coaches.
Some former players criticized the decision because one Test was still left.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said the changes were necessary when players were not performing.
He said the board was replacing players, not permanently banning them.
Naqvi also said cricket did not end in India after India lost to Ireland.
He similarly mentioned South Africa’s loss to Namibia.
Pakistan has now lost 15 of its last 20 Test matches, according to the article.
Pakistan lost the first two Tests against England, including the second by 194 runs.
After the second defeat, Pakistan sent seven players home from its 15-man squad.
The Pakistan Cricket Board sacked red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul mid-tour.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi defended the changes and rejected claims that cricket had collapsed in Pakistan.
Naqvi cited India’s loss to Ireland and South Africa’s loss to Namibia while responding to critics, including former players.
- Who
- The Pakistan Cricket Board, chairman Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan’s players and coaches, and former players including Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik.
- What
- Pakistan made major squad and coaching changes after losing the first two Tests against England, prompting criticism.
- When
- After Pakistan’s 194-run defeat in the second Test of the three-Test series.
- Where
- During Pakistan’s Test tour of England; Naqvi discussed the issue with Pakistan-based broadcaster Geo TV.
- Why
- The PCB said the changes were intended to replace underperforming players and respond to Pakistan’s poor results.
PCB’s Defense
Critics’ Concerns
Mid-tour changes
PCB’s Defense
Mohsin Naqvi said every match mattered and that replacing non-performing players was necessary.
Critics’ Concerns
Former coaches and players criticized changing the squad and coaching staff while one Test remained in the series.
Meaning of the changes
PCB’s Defense
Naqvi said the purpose was to replace players, not to permanently remove them from contention.
Critics’ Concerns
Critics viewed the decision as a disruptive reaction to Pakistan’s poor results during an ongoing tour.
State of Pakistan cricket
PCB’s Defense
Naqvi rejected the idea that cricket had ended in Pakistan, pointing to losses by India and South Africa as examples of setbacks that do not end cricket in those countries.
Critics’ Concerns
The criticism reflects concern about Pakistan’s broader decline, including 15 defeats in its last 20 Tests and early exits from the last three cited ICC tournaments.
- Series result
- Pakistan lost the first two Tests against England; the second defeat came by 194 runs.
- Squad change
- Seven players were sent back from the 15-man squad.
- Coaching changes
- Red-ball head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were sacked.
- Remaining match
- One Test remained in the three-Test series when the changes were made.
- Recent Test record
- Pakistan has lost 15 of its last 20 Tests.
- World Test Championship position
- Pakistan was at the bottom of the 2025–27 World Test Championship points table, according to the article.
- Naqvi’s comparison
- Naqvi cited India’s loss to Ireland and South Africa’s loss to Namibia while rejecting claims that cricket had ended in either country.